Dimmer for headlights



Nov. 24 1925.

J. R. NAYLOR DIVMMER on HEADL'IGHTS Filed 001:. 2'7. 1924 l llil- JNVENTOR BY JonafhanRMylor.

ew m ATTORNEYS Patented Nov. 24, 1925.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

JONATHAN R. NAYLOR, OF THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN, ASSIGNOR TO AUTO LIGHT CONTROL COMPANY, OF THREE RIVERS, MICHIGAN, A FIRM.

DIMMER FOR HEADLIGI-ITS.

Application filed October 27, 1924. Serial No. 746,055.

To all whom it may concern.

Be it known that I, JONATHAN It. NAYLon, a citizen of the United States, residing at Three Rivers, county of St. Joseph, State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Dimmers for Headlights, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in dimmers for headlights.

The main objects of this invention are:

First, to provide an improved dimmer which eliminates the glare with a minimum reduction of illumination.

Second, to provide an improved dimmer which may be readily applied to various types of automobile headlights now in use.

Third, to provide an improved dimmer having these advantages which is very simple and economical in structure.

Objects pertaining to details and economies of my invention will definitely appear from the detailed description to follow.

l I accomplish the objects of my invention by the devices and means described in the ifOllOWlIlg specification. The invention is clearly defined and pointed out in the claims.

A structure embodying the features of my invention is clearly illustrated in the accompanying drawing forming a part of this application, in which:

Fig. I is a fragmentary view of a headlight embodying the features of my invention mainly in horizontal section.

Fig. II is a fragmentary plan View of a motor vehicle having my improved headlights applied thereto illustrating the use thereof.

Fig. III is a perspective view of a lamp embodying the features of my invention, the screen being shown partially open.

Fig. IV is a detail view partially in section on line corresponding to line 4l4; of Fig. I.

Fig. V is a plan view of the screen supporting frame with the socket engaging collar omitted.

Fig. VI is a detail section on a line corresponding to line 66 of Fig. IV showing the details of the adjusting means.

In the drawing the sectional views are taken looking in the direction of the little arrows at the ends of the section lines and similar numerals of reference indicate similar parts in all of the views.

Referring to the drawing. represents a lamp casing, 2 the lens and 3 the reflector arranged within the casing. The lamp 1 of the incandescent type is provided with a plug 5 detachably secured in the socket 6.

I provide a bail-shaped supporting frame 7 havingits arms 8 secured to a collar 9 adapted to embrace the plug 10 of the lamp and secured thereto as by means of the set screw 11, thereby supporting the frame with its bight 12 in front of the lamp.

The frame comprises a pair of members 13 formed of wire and having eyes 14 arran ed on the bight portion 12 of the supportmg frame, thereby providing a hinge connection for these members to the supporting frame. The frames are covered with a translucent material 15, preferably of mica ground or roughened as by rubbing with mineral wool or the like.

These screen members are complementary so that when closed they are supported so that they may be swung to open position as shown by dotted lines in Fig. I, lying in a transverse plane at the end of the lamp.

The operating rod 16 is connected to the [screen members by means of the links 17 which are pivoted at 18 tothe screen members and engaged on the screw eye 19 slidable on one of the arms of the support. A plate 20 is arranged on the screw 19 and has an out-turned end 21 through which the rod is arranged, the rod being arranged through the screw and adjustably clamped thereto by means of the nut 22. The rod is arranged through a housing indicated conventionally at 23 and extends to a finger piece 24 on the instrument board indicated at 25.

Thus arranged the screen can be closed completely enclosing the lamp or swung to the open position shown in Fig. I. I preferably, as stated, use. ground mica for the walls of the screen as this is found to be very effective in eliminating glare with relatively little reduction in illumination.

My improved dimmer can be quickly applied to headlights as installed upon motor vehicles.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is: i

1.- In a headlight, the combination of a re flector, a lamp, a screen support comprising a collar mounted on said lamp and a bailshapecl arm carried {by said collar and disposed longitudinally fof the lamp with its bight at the'front end thereof, a pair of complementary screen members comprising frames pivotall mounted on the bight portion of said supporting arm, said screen having translucent walls'adapted when closed to enclose said lamp and when opened to lie in a transverse plane at the end of the lamp, means for opening and closing said screen comprising a slide mounted on one of the arms of said support, a pair of links pivotally connecte'd to said shield members and to said slide, and a controlling rod connected to said slide.

2. In a headlight, the combination 01 a reflector, a lamp. a screen support comprising a collar mounted on said lamp and a bail-shaped arm carried by said collar and disposed longitudinally of the lamp with its bight at the front end thereof, a pair of complementary screen members comprising frames pivotally mounted on the bight 'portion-of said supporting arm, said screen havingtranslucent Walls adapted when closed toenclosesaid lamp and when opened to lie in a transverse plane at the end of the lamp, and means for opening and closing said screen.

3.111 a headlight, the combination of a reflector, a lamp, a screen support mounted on said lamp with its front-end atthe front end of said'la mp, a pair of complementary screen members pivotally mounted on the front end of said support and adapted when closed to enclose said lamp and when opened to lie transversely at the frontend of the lamp, means for opening and-closingsaid screen members comprising a slide mounted on said support. a pair of links pivot-ally connected to said shield "members and to said- 4. In a headlight, the combination of a reflector, A a lamp, a screen support mounted on said lamp'wiihitsffront-end at the front 7 screen members.

'my hand.

"end of said lamp, a pair of complementary screen members pivotally mounted on the front end of said support and adapted when closed to enclosesaid lamp and when opened to lie transversely atthe front end of the lamp, and means for opening and closing said screen member.

In a headlight, the combination 01? a reflector, a lamp, 2 screen support projecting at the front end of said lamp, a pair of coinplementary screen members frames pivotall mounted on said support, said screen having translucentwalls adapted when closed toenclose said lamp and when opened to lie in a transverse plane at the end'o l the lamp, means for opening and closing said screen members comprising a pair of links pivotally connected to said shield members, andacontrolling rod connected to said links.

6. In a headlight, the combination of a reflector, :a. lamp, a .screen support projecting at :theifront end ofsaid lamp, a pair of complementary screen members comprising frames :pivotally mounted on said support, said screen having translucent walls adapted when closed to enclose said lamp and when opened to lie in .a transverseplanc at the end of the lamp, and means for opening and closing said screen members.

"i". In a headlight, the combination of a reflector, a.lamp,.aiscreen support projecting at the front end o'fsaid lamp, a pair of complementary screen members comprising frames pivotally mouned on said support, said :screen havin translucent Walls formed OfgXOllIlClIlllCitflIld adaptedwhen closed to enclose said lamp and when opened to lie in a transverse plane at the-end of thelamp, and means for opening and closmg said In witness whereof I have hereunto set .JIONATHAN R. NAYLOR.

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